This year at the Saturn Awards the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation was honored with a lifetime achievement award. Brent Spiner attended the event with his other co-stars, also celebrating their Saturn Award-winning return in Star Trek: Picard. TrekMovie had a quick moment to speak with the actor about Data’s return in Picard and if he’s interested in playing the character again. There’s also an update on Spiner reviving another character from his past.
Gene Roddenberry was also honored with this same Saturn lifetime achievement award. You knew Gene and he created the character of Data. What do you think he would think of how Data evolved through TNG, into the movies, and now in Picard?
I think he would think it all went according to plan. Because one thing he said to me from the very beginning when I first met him, he said, “What I want is for Data is for him to get more and more and more and more human as time goes on, and by the end be almost human, but still not.” And that’s kind of where we are, I think.
So for the Data from the end of Picard, you don’t see him as a new different character but as an evolution of Data?
He really is an evolution. I think what’s interesting about it is that for years and years and years, I was trying to become Data. And now in the latest iteration, Data has sort of become more like me.
What of Lore did you try to keep in your performance in those last episodes as Data? What of your bad side did you try to hold on to?
Actually of the two characters – Data and Lore – I’m much more like Lore. I mean, Lore was easy to play because I am evil. So they said, “Yeah, just let yourself go, be yourself.” So, okay!
If there was a chance to do more with the character, everyone else seems to be on board, are you also on board if Legacy ever happens?
I really don’t even want to weigh in on it. It’s hypothetical at the moment. I’d be happy to another ER if they want to do it [laughs]. I just like to work. Certainly, if they came to me and I wasn’t doing something else, I’d love to do it.
Spiner returning to Night Court
While Brent Spiner’s return to Star Trek is still up in the air, he will be reprising another character from his past. TV Line has reported that Spiner will appear in the newly revived NBC sitcom Night Court. Before his time on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Spiner had a recurring role in the original Night Court appearing in six episodes as the hard luck case Bob Wheeler, who often found himself in front of Judge Stone. According to TV Line Spiner will be reunited with Annie O’Donnell who played Bob’s wife, June Wheeler. The upcoming episode will feature the Wheeler’s daughter played by Kate Micucci.
Brent Spiner and Annie O’Donnell in the original Night Court (NBC)
More red carpet interviews from the Saturn Awards
TrekMovie spoke to more Star Trek presenters, nominees, and winners at the Saturn Awards, so come back for more interviews and updates.
Check out our earlier Saturn Awards interviews:
You can hear audio from these interviews and more in the latest All Access Star Trek podcast.
Keep up with news for the Star Trek Universe at TrekMovie.com.
